Is there a hazard lurking in your lunch?
If you are eating leftovers there might be.

Food poisoning and food-borne illnesses can grow in food that has not been properly stored, heated or frozen. Once improper storage and temperatures are reached bacteria can grow in contaminated foods.

You may be trying to save money or eat better by packing a lunch each day, but if your midday meal is something from the back of the fridge, you could make yourself sick.

Food poisoning can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. To prevent food borne illnesses from growing in your favourite leftover meals, it is best to follow food safe guidelines immediately after the dinner is made:

• Throw out any cooked food that has been left out for more than 2 hours.
• Do not keep food at temperatures of 40°F (4°C) and 140°F (60°C). This is referred to as “the Danger Zone” and where bacteria will quickly multiply.
• Always cool leftovers in the refrigerator, and not at room temperature.
• Date leftovers to ensure food isn’t stored too long.

As a rule of thumb, if you have had leftovers for more than 4 days, throw it out. If you will not be eating the food within 4 days, move it to the freezer. Food left in the freezer can be kept for 2-3 months. Be especially careful when storing and handling perishable foods such as meats, dairy, seafood and eggs.

When ready to eat leftovers, thaw your meals either in the microwave or in the fridge. Do not thaw at room temperature.  Once foods have been reheated, consume them immediately.

To ensure that your food is ready to eat after heating, check that it has an internal temperature of 165ºF (74ºC) — and don’t ever refreeze a meal after it has been microwaved.

If you are ever unsure about a food item, sticke to the phrase “When in Doubt, Throw it out!”. Never rely on your sense of smell, sight or taste to see if an item is safe to eat. You cannot tell if a food is contaminated purely by the way it smells, looks or tastes.

To help ensure that employees and co-workers are eating safely, it is a great idea to invvest in a digital thermometer and keep it next to the microwave and provide posters or information on leftover safety.